Harvester



(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheen 1,

G. BSTERLY.

. HARVESTER. No. 385,047. 'Paten-ted Jne 26, 1888;-

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Modei.) Y

" G. ESTERLY.

HARVESTER.

No. 885,047. Patented June 26, 1888.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G. ESTERLY.

HARVESTER.

No. 385,047.. Patented@ lll/ll Ntra Aram" time.

HARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 385,647, dated June 26,1888.

Application filed Api-i127, 1887.

To @ZZ whoml iv' may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE EsTnnLY, of Vhitewater, in the county ofW'alworth and State of Visconsin, have invented certain Improvements inHarvesters,of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference more particularly to the ordinary class ofmaehnesin which the grain is delivered from a rectangular platform byelevating-aprons over the main wheel to a binder located at the outerside thereof; and it consists in various improvements in theconstruction of the main fratrie, composedv mainly of angular wroughtmetal or steel bars; in the peculiar formation of hinge-joints,permitting the platform to be turned to an upright position when themachine is to be transported; in the peculiar' mannerof attaching thegrain- Wheel when the machine is folded as above, and in various otherdetails, which will be hereinafter described;

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is aperspective view of aharvester and binder having my improvements incorporated therein, themachine being viewed from the rear stubblecoruer and many of the usualparts foreign to the invention being omitted. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveView of the main-wheel frame and theinner end ofthe platform-frame,thelatter being shown in a folded or upright position, with asupplemental wheel attached thereto, the parts being viewed from therear stubble corner. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line :r r, Fig. 2.Fig. 2" isa vertical section through the frame from front to rear on theline fr' fr' j members of the frame. Figo is aperspective view showingthe elevator and seat supports as viewed from the rear. Fig. 7 isaperspective view of the outer or grain end of the platformframe, showingparticularly the divider Serial No. 236,343. (No model.) f

and carrier thereon. Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-v section through thefront joint connecting the platformframe and wheel-frame on the line ofits axis. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the rear joint. Fig. 10 is a topplan view ofthe mechanism for driving the bundle-carrier.

.The wheel-frame of my machine is constructed,'as shown in Fig. 2, of arectangular form, comprising as its main elements two parallel trusses,A A', extending in fore-and` aft direction and connected at their endsby cross-bars B B'.

The trusses A A', frequently known as side frames,77 consist each of astraight bottom bar, a, of a "E form in cross section, and of an upperbar, b, of an L, form in cross-section. The upper bar is bent upwardfrom its two ends to a point near its middle. Its extreme ends areextended horizontally, seated firmly on top of the bara near the ends ofthe latter and riveted firmly thereto. The bar a extends a slightdistance beyond the bar I) at each end in order to underlie and supportthe front and rear bars, B B', to which it is firmly riveted or bolted.The bars B B are'of L form in crosssection, as shown in Figs. 2 and 2,The bars a and b are connected at the middle by an upright segmentalslotted rack-plate, C, having lateral iianges, which are seated againstand bolted or riveted to the bars a and Ii, as shown. These rack-plates,which are designed to receive the axle of the main wheel and itspinions, by which the vertical adjustment of the frame is effected, areof ordinary construction, and, being familiar to every person skilled inthe art, need not be further described.

The front and rear bars, B and B', are each of an L form in crosssection, their lower flanges being extended inward horizontally, seatedon the ends of the bar a and riveted thereto, as shown in the severalfigures. The bars B B' are extended outward on the stubble side of themachine beyond the outer truss, A', and are riveted and give support toa bar, c, of a T form in cross-section. This bar, extending in afore-and-aft direction parallel with the outer truss, assists insupporting the bearings d and e of the shaftf. As shown in Fig. 2, thesebearings are supported at the inner sideon the lower member, e, of thetruss A' and at the outer side on the bar c. Togive ad- IOO ditionalsupport to the bar c, Iemployabrace, g, extending from the middle of thebar to the upperpart ofthetruss A. Theshaftf, through which motion iscommunicated to the binder and to the cutting apparatus in the ordinarymanner, receives motion through a pinion thereon from intermediategearing of the usual character connected with the main wheel.

In order to'adapt the main-wheel frame for the proper attachment of theplatform-frame thereto, the front and rear bars, B B', are extendedhorizontally on the grain side beyond the truss A a distance of eighteeninches. (more or less,) and strengthened or stiffened by the applicationof L-shaped bars h h to their upper sides, the bars being riveted tirmly together, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

kThe bars h h are applied as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, their horizontalportions being appliedon top of the corresponding faces ofthe bars BB'and their vertical portions extended downward below said bars. y

The platformframe consists of a front sill or finger-bar, D, and a rearsill, E, the two connected at the outer end by a cross-bar, F, rivetedfirmly thereto, each of the bars D and E being, as shown, of an L formincrossscction. lThisplatform-frame I hinge to the wheelframe in suchmanner that it may be turnedV upward at the outer end until it assumesan approximately vertical position, as in other machines at presentknown in the art. I have, howeverdevised an improved construction of thehinge -joints for this purpose, such as plainlyshown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The finger-bar D has riveted iirml y thereto a forward and upward curvedplate or shoe, G, Aprovided at the front grainward or outer corner witha forward extending stud orsleeve,

Z, and at thes'tuNbbleward or inner front corner Withaperforated ear, m.To the overhau ging VWend ofthe front bar, B, is riveted a plate, n,

the upper end of which is turned over the vertical tlange ofthe bar torelieve the bolt, hereinafter mentioned, from the strain and giveit iirmsupport. The horizontal pivotbolt o is passed in a fore-andaft directionthrough the lower end of this plate n, through the thimble Z, and shoe Gof the finger-bar. A vertical bolt, p, passed through the front bar, B,and through the ear m of the shoe, holds the [ingerbar rigidly in itshorizontal position when the machine isin action.

To therearsill, E, is bolted firmly a casting, r, having at its upperend a transverse sleeve or eye, s, to receive a pivot-bolt, t, by whichit is connected to a plate, u, hooked upon the vertical iiange andriveted firmly to the overhanging end of the rear cross-bar, B', of thewheel-frame, a vertical bolt, H, located stubblew'ard from thepivot-bolt,passing downward through the bar B and through the sill E,andalso through an intermediate sleeve or stoppiece, I, serving to hold therearsill rigidly in position. By removing the front bolt, p, and therear bolt, H, the front and rear sills are released, permitting theplatform-frame to be turned upward around the bolts o and t, the axesof'which coincide.

It is to be noted as a peeuliarity of my joint that the pivots arelocated above the level of the platform-sill and below the sills of thewheel-frame, instead of being passed directly through and above thesills, as in other machines. This is advantageous in that it permits thesills of the wheelframe to be kept above thc level of the platform-frameand ata greater height than usual from the ground, whereby the machineis the better adapted to pass over obstructions.

In order to stiffer! the wheelframe and give support to the overhangingends of the bars B B', I extend braces J K inward from the ends of saidbars, as shown in Fig. 2. The brace J extends rearward and stubbleward,and is bolted to the lower mem ber,a, of the i nner truss, A,near therear side. The brace K is carried forward, stubbleward, and upward,andbolted rigidly to the upper member, b, ofthe truss A.

For the purpose of supporting the grain side of the machine when theplatform is in the upright position, I propose to apply the grain wheelat or near the heel end of the platform, as has already been done inother machines.

As a substitute for the usual means of supporting and carrying thegrain-wheel when the platform is folded, I have devised the arrangementrepresented in Fig. 2, in which l\[ represents a short detachable axleextending grainward from the i nnerside of the main frame beneath theinner end of the folded platform to the grainwheel L, which is mountedtemporarily thereon. The axle is carried at the grain end by the wheel Land at the stubble end bythe main wheelframe,and at an intermediatepoint in its length itis seated beneath the cross board 'or bar d* atthe inner or stubble en'd of the platform. This bar or board may be oneof the sheathing-boards on the un der side ofthe platformframe, asusual, or it may be a special bar or board applied for the purpose, theonly requirement being that it ifo ICO

tof,

shall be of sufficient strength to ride upon the axle and sustain theweight of the platformframe. The axle M is provided at its inner endwiththe plate o, which enters the inner end ofthe slotted rack-plate Cofthe main-wheel frame, bearing on its tlanges or on top of the bar a. Aknee brace or plate, w, fixed to the bar or plank d, is connected by abolt, w?, with the axle M, or otherwise temporarily attached thereto, toretain the axle in place.

The essence of the invention resides in extending the axle temporarilyfrom the grain side of the main-wheel frame beneath the inner end of thefolded platform to the grain-wheel. The details of the devices forholding it in position may, of course, be modified within the range ofmechanical skill.

It will be observed that the axle,applied as above,may be quicklydetached,and that when in position' it gives direct support to the plat-:form-frame and to the inner side of the wheel frame, allowing themachine to be transported with the same facility as an ordinarytwowheeled harvester.

In Fig. 2 I have omitted from the platform` framebottom boards and otherparts commonly employed in order to expose the wheel to View, theomitted parts having no connection whatever with my invention.

In order to give partial support to the binder to the elevatoreframe,commonly denominated the Aframa and to'support the seat-plank, I erecton top of the wheel-frame metal frames, one at thefront and the other atthe rear in the manner which I will now describe. Y i

I erect on the front bar, B, of the wheelframe, as shown in Fig. 5, twoparallel upright bars, x :aand through these I pass a pivot, i,supporting a hand-lever, e, the rear end of which stands adjacent to thedrivers seat, while the front end is connected in any ordinary mannerwith the hinged tongue for the purpose of tilting the machine. From thebars fr, midway of their height, IeXtend in opposite directionshorizontal bars c'. The grainward one of these bars is supportedby avertical bar, b, rising from the front of the wheel-frame. From thefront bar, B, of' the wheelvframe, near its outer or stubble side, a

bar, c', is extended upward in an inclined position, and its upper endturned sharply inward toward the grain side of the machine and rivetedor screwed to the side-board of' the elevator. bars meet each other theyare riveted firmly together, thejoint in each case being formed in thepeculiar manner illustratcdvin Fig. 5. As shown in this figure, one of'thebars has its vertical fiange removed from the end backward a shortdistance and the horizontal flange turned downward, as shown at d. Inthis way the flanges of both bars are caused to overlap or bear againsteah other, so that two rivets or series of' rivets, c and f', may bepassed through them at right angles to each other, wherebythe parts areheld rigidly in the required relation.

Onthe rear end of the wheel'frame I erect an upper frame identical with`thatjust described, except that the vertical bars .fr .fr are omitted.The construction of this rear frame is plainly shown in Fig. 6.

The elevator-frame has, as usual, front and rear boards, g',to supportthe `journals of the rolls which carry the elevator-aprons. Theseboards, formed in the usual manner and ar ranged in the usual position,are riveted or bolted firmly to the bars a, b', and c', as shown in thedrawings, this arrangement serving to give firm support to the boards,which inturn act to stiffen the framing.

The draft pole or tongue is provided, as usual, at its rear end withears or with an eyeplate to receive a horizontal pivot. To support thispivot, I provide at the front of the At the point where the severalwheel-frame two eyebolts, 7c', the rear ends of which are screwedthrough the front bar, B, and through astrengtheningmlate, 7a, thereon,as plainly shown in Fig. 5, with nuits applied to their inner ends, asseenvFig. 2. I also secure to the front bar, B, additional eyebolts l',designed to receive the rear ends of' the lateral braces, by which thetongue is steadied, as usual.

In order to insure the delivery of the grain, cornstalks, or othermaterial properly upon the platform of the machine, I combine with theouter divider a conveyer or picker acting lengthwise of the divider, andpreferably constructed in the form shown in Fig. 7, in which Nrepresents the usual divider-board and O a chain extending lengthwise ofthe dividenboard and passing around suitable supporting-pulleys, m, thechain on one side passing through openings and extendingalong the upperor inner surface of the divider-board. The chain is provided with teethor projections and connected with driving mechanism by which its upperexposed portion is caused to traverse the divider-board from front torear, so as to act upon the standing stalks and carry the same backwardto the cutters and to the platform. As shown in the drawings, a secondpulley, a', is secured on the axis ofthe rear pulley, m', and driven bya chain, o', from a sprocket-wheel, p', on a shaft, g. This shaft,extending along the rear end ofthe platformframe, receives motionthrough beveled gears r' from the shaft which actuates theplatformconveycr. In lieu of the above connections any other suitableconstruction of' gearing which will impart motion to the chain o may besubstituted. In order to permit the tension of the chain to beregulated, I mount its supportingpulleys on pivoted arms s, which vareslotted and secured by bolts t', so that their positions may be changed.

The binding-machine may be ofthe Ap pleby or any other approved type.Its lower edge may be supported in any ordinary manner. Its upper edgeis provided, as usual, with the longitudinal supporting-pipe w',arranged to slide through plates x, bolted to the bars c', as shown.

In connection with the machine I employ a well-known form ofsheafcarrier, consisting of' a horizontal endless apron, P, revolvingrearward in a direction the opposite of the direction of travel aroundrollers supported in a frame connected to the outer side of thewheel-frame. Heretofore it has been custon'r ary to drive the rear rollof this sheaf-carrier by toothed gearing communicating with the gearingof the harvester. In practice it has been found impossible to maintainthis gearing in operative condition or f'ree from cutting for anyconsiderable length of time. I. have therefore substituted `thearrangement of parts shown in Fig. 10, in which a2 represents a beveledgear fixed to the rear end of the usual drivingshaft, f, and engagingconstant- ILO ly with the gear b2, having on one side a smooth conicalhub, c2, revolving loosely around a shaft, d2, connected by a universaljoint, e2, to the journal of the rear roll of the sheaf-carrier. Ahollow cone, f2, is arranged to slide on the shaft d2, but connectedthereto by a spline or its equivalent, so thatit may be moved forwardover the driving-hub c2 at will. In order to communicate motion from thelatter to the sheaf-carrier roll, this driving-cone is curvedcircumferentially to receive a stud on a controlling-lever, g2, which isretracted bya spring. h2, and moved forward by a rod or wire, i2, underthe control ofthe driver, who isthus enabled to start the apron at will.The clutchcontrolling lever is plainly represented in Fig. 10, but isomitted in Fig. l for the purpose of exposing other parts to view. Theconical friction-clutch may be brought gradually into action, so as tostart the apron slowly and avoid the excessive strain and shock whichresults from the use of the usual toothed gearing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a harvester,a metallic mainwheel frame consisting of the front and rear crossbars, BB', and the two trusses A A', each of the latter consisting ot thebottom member, a, riveted at its ends to the cross-bars, and the angulartop member, b, riveted at its ends to the bottom member.

2. In ametallicwhcel-framefor a harvester, the cross-bars B B', of Lshape in cross-section, in combination with the two side bars, a, of Tshape in cross-section, riveted at their ends to the under side of thecross-bars, the bent bars b, of L shape in cross-section, riveted attheir ends to the upper faces of the side bars, and the rack-platesconnecting the bars a b, as shown.

3. In a Wheel-frame for a harvester, the combination of the trusses AA', substantially as described, the cross-bars B B attached thereto andextended on the stubble side, as shown, and the bar c, attached to theirextended ends, substantially as described, whereby a firm support forthe shaft-bearings is secured.

4. In ametallicwheel-frame for aharvester, the combination ofthe sidetrusses, A A', the front and rear crossbars, B B',ofangular shape incross-section, secured rigidly to the ends of and extended grainwardbeyond the trusses, the re enforcing-bars 7i h', of L shape incrosssection riveted to the overhanging ends of the bars B B', theirhorizontal flanges being applied on top ofthe horizontal ianges of thebars B B', and their vertical iianges extended downward, as shown.

5. In a wheel-frame for a harvester, the oombination of the sidetrusses, A A', the crossbars B B', attached thereto and extendedstubbleward beyond the truss A', the bar c, secured to the extended endsof the cross-bars parallel with the trusses, and the brace g, extendedfrom the middle portion ot' bar c to the top of the truss A'.

6. In a harvester,the main wheel frame having the bar- B,of L shape incrosssection,pro jected at the grain side and provided with there-enforcing bar h in the manner shown, in combination with the plate a,secured to bar B, the finger-bar D, the shoe-plate G, secured to thefinger-bar, curved forward and upward therefrom and provided with anear, m, the horizontal pivot-bolt o, extending through the shoe and thedepending flange of plate 7i, and the removable bolt p, whereby thefinger-bar may be secured rigidly in operative relation to thewheelframe or permitted to assume a vertical position at will.

7. The main-wheel frame having the bar B', of L shape in cross-section,extended on the grain side, the re-enforcing-bar h', of L shape in crosssection, secured to the bar B', in the manner shown, and the dependingplate u, also secured to the bar B', in combination with the rearplatform-sill, the plate r,secured thereto, the horizontal pivot passingthrough said plate and through the plates h' and u, and the removablebolt H and sleeve I.

8. The improved hinge-joint for connecting a harvester main wheel frameand platformframe, consisting of a bar of L shape in crosssectionextended grainward from the wheelframe, a re-enforcing bar of aninverted L shape in cross-section, as h, riveted to the horizontalportion of the first-named bar, with one ange extended downward belowthe saine, a plate, as n, secured to and extending below the first-namedbar, a plate or arm rising from the platform-frame and inserted betweenthe plates h and u, and a horizontal bolt passing through said platesand the intermediate arm.

9. In a harvester, the combination of the main-wheel frame, theplatformframe hinged to its grain side to turn vertically, the removableaxle M, bearing beneath the inner end of the upturned platform-frame andupon the grain side of the wheel-fiaine,and the wheel L, applied to thegrain end of said axle.

l0. The main-wheel frame having the rackplate C at its grain side, incombination with the main wheel in said frame, the verticallyfoldingplatform hinged tothe grain side of the wheel-frame, the grain-wheel,and the detachable axle IVI for said wheel, adapted to extend beneaththe end of the upturned platform and provided at its stubble end withthe plate c to engage the rack, and the plate w at its other endconnecting the axle with the platform-frame, as shown, whereby thegrainwheel is held temporarily in position to support the grain side ofthe machine when the platform is folded to its upright position.

1l. In combination with the main wheel frame andthe elevator-frame,substantially as described, the tongue hinged to the wheelframe, the twovertical bars x angular in cross-section, secured to the wheel-frame andthe elevator-frame, as described and shown, the tilting lever sustainedby a pivot passing through the bars x and the connection from said leverto the tongue.

IBO

l2. n n inettllie main-wheel frame for a, In testimonywhereofhereuntosetmyhand, harvester, the trusses or side frames and thethis 10th day of February, 1887, in the preslo front and rearcross-bars,BB,projeeted granence of two attesting Witnesses. ward beyondthe inner truss to sustain the 5 plntf0rni-frarne`, in combination withthe diag- GEORGE ESTERLY' onal braces extending from the overhangingVitnesses: ends of the cross-bars stubbleward to the inner MAUD MERRIAM,

truss or side frame. i T; C. HOLLENBERGER.

